Today is exactly a year since the day I first went to the GP about my lump and ended up on this unexpected journey. I had no idea recovery would take this long. Otherwise I probably wouldn’t have decided to carry on blogging during my recovery as I’m probably going to end up writing something the length of “War And Peace” at this rate!
Today also marks 6 months since I finished my treatment. I think there is finally now more saliva coming back to my mouth. Sometimes now when I wake up in the night I don’t need my mouth spray. I’m managing to eat more of a variety of foods. I also find less foods need smothering in gravy which is great news as I hate the stuff. I’m managing to maintain my weight so the Dietician leaves me alone now.
I’ve still got some hearing loss in my right ear but I can hear OK. I’m hoping that the right ear will eventually clear itself like the left one did. I’ve met a lovely lady who is studying to be an Alternative Therapist. She says she will pop round one afternoon with some healing crystals which might help. I am a little skeptical about this but it can’t do any harm to try.
I’ve been back at work for a month now and it’s going well. My employer is very understanding and supportive. I know I’ve been very lucky because I’ve heard of many people having employment problems after cancer. The first few days back I was very tired and my husband had to drive me to and from work. I still find it tiring sometimes but I often manage to walk now, which is almost a mile each way. I will probably start slowly increasing my hours soon.
I’m often tired in the afternoons but I’m pushing myself to do a bit more. I started off with 5 minutes housework and I’ve been increasing it daily by a minute so I’m almost up to half an hour now. When the weather improves I’m going to make a start on the garden. I will be glad when it gets warmer. My neck gets stiff when it gets cold and I can feel numb patches round my left ear. I wear hoodies and scarves most of the time now which seem to help. I’m thinking of getting one of those heat pads like they use in the chemo ward.
It was a good day last week when the van came to take away the feeding pump etc. For months the driver has been delivering supplies to me by the trolleyload, so it was great to see boxes finally going in the other direction. The feeding tube scar is healing up really well, I put Bio-Oil on it every night.
A few people have said to me that I should have a nice treat to reward me for getting through the last year. Wonderful idea. I have started dropping subtle hints in the direction of husband. Unfortunately I don’t think he has quite understood the concept of a treat. For example a little holiday does not involve the words self catering or caravan. More like luxury, 5 star or spa break. Similarly when I suggested something nice for the house I wasn’t visualising a new set of net curtains or something out of the household appliance section of the Argos catalogue. Big hint to husband - look at that catalogue prominently displayed on the top of the coffee table. The one called Classic Vintage Jukeboxes For Sale. Try the Wurlitzer section.
